Filming applications

Filming applications

The Film Friendly Team supports productions, coordinates City services and makes it easy to apply for required permits.

If you do not require municipal permits and need information about filming on private properties and scouting, please visit our partner Calgary Film Commission.

Permits are needed to access City of Calgary locations and services for film productions, including:

  • Any motion picture
  • TV program
  • Commercial
  • Music video
  • Web series

Permit requirements do not apply to television stations preparing news or current affairs programs.

City filming approvals

Let's get you filming!

Step 1: Fill out Calgary Film Commission Film Production Information Sheet

The information you provide supports industry growth and captures the positive impact that the screen industries have on our region’s economy.

Film Production Information Sheet

Thank you for helping us remain a film friendly location!

Step 2: Fill out City of Calgary Film Production Intake Form

This step assigns a City of Calgary Film Team contact to your production.

We’ll reach out to you within two business days to help determine what services you may need and answer any questions you have.

In the meantime, check out the services available and scouting information. 

City of Calgary Film Production Intake Form

If you already know what City location(s) and/or services you need, you can start the step 3 application after submitting step 2.  

Required documents

*Before approval will be provided all productions must submit the below forms. You can submit these at any step in the process through the intake system or by email to ensure there are no delays.

1. Provide your Certificate of Insurance

Certificate of Insurance Info

Your production will be accountable for its activities and risks while filming in the City of Calgary. The City requires proof of liability insurance coverage and to be named as an additional insured under your policy. When reviewing your productions plans, the Film Team will inform if additional insurance may be required.

Please submit your Certificate of Insurance that complies with the below requirements:

  • Liability insurance must be provided by an insurance company registered to do business in the Province of Alberta.
  • Proof of commercial general liability insurance in the amount of not less than $2,000,000 (two million dollars) inclusive limit for any occurrence must be provided. Note: some City owned buildings require commercial general liability insurance with a minimum of $5, 000 000 (five million dollars) inclusive limit.
  • Both the City of Calgary and Calgary Economic Development named as additional insured.
    • Please list as The City of Calgary (PO Box 2100, Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 2M5) and Calgary Economic Development (237 4 Ave SW Suite 2600, Calgary, AB T2P 4K3).
    • An automobile third-party liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 (one million dollars) inclusive limit covering all vehicles used in connection with the film-making activities.
    • That any and all claims or legal suits or actions involved must be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and under the jurisdiction of the Law Courts of Alberta.

2. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions form

Step 3: Apply for City services and locations

Permit and service approvals take five to 21 business days. Refer to the overview of services for information on lead times and fees and allow enough time in your planning. 

A reminder that before we approve your production and issue permits, you’ll need to provide the following when you apply or by follow-up email to your film permits and services contact:

Film Services Application

Additional forms

Some services are not supported by our online system at this time. You’ll need to download the following forms as needed and attach them to your Step 3 application:

Online applications:

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